Local Briefs • 06.01.12

Equality Texas named its first Ally Award winners to recognize individuals, businesses and civic leaders that have advanced equality for all Texans during the past year.

Rapper-singer-producer Adair Lion and Miss West Texas Kaylee Anne Keith are the individuals of the year. Lion rapped that “being gay is okay” on a new CD to be released on June 25. Keith, Lion’s fiancee, was crowned on the platform of “bullying awareness and prevention.” She has brought her message of bullying awareness to schools across the state.

J.C. Penney was named business of the year. Despite the threat of a boycott after hiring Ellen DeGeneres as its spokesperson, CEO Ron Johnson said, “We stand squarely behind Ellen as our spokesperson and that’s a great thing, because she shares the same values that we do in our company.”

President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden were named civic leaders of the year after they made history by publicly supporting marriage equality.

Transgender minister named to board of DFW Pride Movement

Adair Lyon

Carmarion D. Anderson was named to the board of the DFW Pride Movement. She is the first transgender woman named to that board.

Anderson serves as the senior minister at the Living Faith Covenant Church in Dallas. She also serves as the lead minister to TransSaints Ministries of the Southern Region of The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries.

She works with Richland College to provide services to potential and current students seeking to further their education on a college level and volunteers with Resource Center Dallas, AIDS Arms, United Black Ellument and UT Southwestern on transgender issues.

“Carmarion has a positive history of advocacy for the Trans community locally and nationally. Her spiritual leadership and commitment to excellence are those qualities that set her apart from so many others and have earned her a seat on this board,” DFW Pride